Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo: A Rare Icon Returns in Style

Iconic Rebirth - In the golden era of Formula One, when turbochargers roared louder and style raced hand-in-hand with speed, some road cars dared to borrow the drama of the track. But very few truly captured the soul of racing like the 1980 Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo. Born from the intense innovation of Lotus Engineering and wrapped in the vivid colors of a legendary sponsor, this machine was never meant to be just another fast car—it was a statement.

The Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo was born from the intense innovation of Lotus Engineering and later wrapped in the iconic black and gold John Player Special colors for promotional appearances. (Picture from: Silodrome)

This particular Esprit wasn’t just plucked from the showroom floor. It began life as a pre-production model, built before the world had even seen the official Essex Turbo roll off the line. Originally loaned to the DeLorean Motor Company, it played a quiet but critical role in Lotus’s behind-the-scenes development work. Once returned to Hethel, it became a testbed for something truly radical: an experimental active suspension system developed straight from Formula One technology. This wasn’t just engineering ambition—it was Lotus living its racing DNA.

The Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo was officially introduced in early 1980 and produced until April 1981, available exclusively in the striking blue, red, and silver livery of its Formula One sponsor (the now-defunct Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation). (Picture from: PistonHeads)

The Esprit Essex Turbo was officially introduced in early 1980 and produced only until April 1981, making it an incredibly short-lived but deeply iconic run. Known as the Type 82, it was available exclusively in the striking livery of its Formula One sponsor (the now-defunct Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation)—blue, red, and silver. The car didn’t just look fast; it was designed to elevate the Esprit name into the exclusive realm of supercars. With sharper styling, turbocharged performance, and a limited-edition pedigree, this was the car that made the Esprit something much more than a sleek British wedge.

The car features an interior unique to the Lotus Esprit, offering a significant upgrade over the Lotus Europa it succeeded and unlike anything else on the road at the time. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Painted later in the famous black and gold John Player Special colors for promotional appearances, including a notable spin on Top Gear with none other than Nigel Mansell behind the wheel, this Esprit became something of a celebrity itself. It wasn't just admired by the public; it reportedly even hosted Colin Chapman, the legendary founder of Lotus, not long before his untimely passing in 1982.

This is the control panel for the Active Suspension system—currently inactive, though a company is available to restore it to full functionality. (Picture from: Silodrome)

After its moment in the spotlight, the car slipped into obscurity. Hidden away in a hangar, covered and stored by Lotus for years, it almost met a tragic end. When Proton took ownership of Lotus in 1996, they called for the prototype’s destruction. Fortunately, Esprit platform manager Brian Angus knew its worth. He kept the car hidden, moving it from place to place, preserving its legacy against the odds.

The Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo is powered by a 2,174cc turbocharged four-cylinder mid-mounted engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. (Picture from: Silodrome)

It wasn’t until 2005 that the Esprit was finally acknowledged for what it was—an automotive treasure. After receiving some long-overdue attention, the car was cleaned up and displayed at the Lotus factory. But when financial pressures hit the company hard in 2016, they reluctantly sold this rare gem. It found new life with a former Lotus development engineer and his son, who spared no expense in bringing the car back to glory.

The Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo underwent a £60,000 ($78,751) restoration, including engine and gearbox overhauls, new wiring, brakes, exhaust, and more to bring it to the condition you see today. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Over £60,000 was invested in its revival—restoring the engine, gearbox, brakes, wiring, exhaust, and interior while keeping the original hand-painted decals intact. The active suspension and control panel are still in place, though not fully functional. But really, how many people can say they own a car that once wore Formula One tech, even if it only partially works?

Today, the 1980 Lotus Esprit “Essex” Turbo is more than a car—it’s a piece of living history. A one-of-a-kind blend of racing innovation, bold design, and pure Lotus spirit. Auctioneers estimate it could fetch up to £80,000, but for fans of motorsport and engineering milestones, its value goes far beyond the hammer price. This is the kind of machine that reminds us how thrilling it can be when the worlds of racing and road cars collide—and just how lucky we are that this one survived to tell its story. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ID.MOTOR1 | SUPERCARS.NET | SILODROME | PISTONHEADS | RETROMANIA4EVER ON X ]

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